GRAND BUFFETT

The latest from the chief Parrothead, for Mailboat/RCA Nashville/RLG, features Buffett singing duets with some of Country’s biggest stars, including labelmates Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride.

Hastings’ George Deahl, hoping that Martha Stewart makes him his own personalized license plate, emoted: "What a stroke of genius, crossing Jimmy Buffett to country with all of those superstars! Easily #1 with us this week. Buffett has always had a very reliable fan base, but it just got bigger by a lot!"

Geffen’s The Roots is the next highest Top 10 newcomer at #4, followed by Hollywood’s A Cinderella Story (featuring Hilary Duff at #8) and Bad Boy/Universal’s reissue of Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 classic Ready to Die (#9).

"Great week on the new Roots release," added Deahl. "Can’t wait for the Trunk and the Branches next."

Buffett easily tops LaFace/ZLG R&B mainstay Usher (#2) and last week’s chart-topper, G-Unit/Interscope’s Lloyd Banks (#3). The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Epic/Sony Nashville’s Gretchen Wilson (#5), Warner Bros. Nashville’s Big & Rich (#6), Arista/RMG’s Avril Lavigne (#7) and Interscope’s Jadakiss (#10).

Other chart newcomers include Elektra’s Metallica EP (#26) and Geffen’s Sparta (#50).

Double-digit increases are registered by Epic’s Franz Ferdinand (#33-28, +21%), RoadRunner/IDJ’s Nickelback (#43-39, +17%), RoadRunner/IDJ’s Slipknot (#24, +12%), Octone/J Records/RMG’s Maroon 5 (#29, +12%) and Capitol’s Yellowcard (#32, +10%).

Next week, look for MTV reality star Ashlee Simpson’s Geffen bow, Autobiography, to dominate sales, with a #1 debut that could top 250k. WSM’s Van Halen greatest hits with new tracks could approach 200k and the #2 position.

Concluded Deahl, who said he will not be voting for Harold Stassen in this year’s election: "Now get ready for Ashlee Simpson, which judging by the first-day reaction, is going to be huge!"

The guy is a regular Dionne Warwick in the prophecy department.